About Wanda, Publisher of Making-Beaded-Jewelry.com

Hello and welcome!

Several years ago my beading obsession was born when I discovered beads.

And lots of them. I just can't have too many!

I love exploring new techniques for making jewelry with beads.

A Little About Me

I'm originally from the South in the USA, the state of Virginia.

In the early 90s I moved to Los Angeles and began to explore Southern California. I work for a government entity that allows internal transfers. So, I've had a few different job titles. The one I love most is human resources trainer. I love teaching others.

Began Learning About Crafts

In the summer of 1994 I started taking flower arranging classes. I bought and
read books; and taught myself by going to the Los Angeles Flower Mart, buying
lots of flowers and making arrangements.

Besides flower arranging, I learned to paint floor cloths and sell ready made
jewelry. I tried needle point, but didn't have the patience for it. I also do
a little sewing and crocheting. (Currently, I'm trying to learn to knit when I
take breaks from making jewelry.)

I just love crafts and learning about them!

How I Got Into Jewelry Making

In 2002, I was looking for a new hobby and discovered beads.

One day a couple of friends and I were waiting for a movie to start. So, we
by checked out a nearby bookstore.

It All Started With a Book

I headed to the craft section to browse. A jewelry
making book on beaded jewelry caught my eye. I flipped through it and thought,
"I can make this stuff". So, I bought the book.

Back at home I browsed the pages and decided to make a project. I bought some
beads and supplies and made a simple, single strand glass bead necklace.
(I have since disassembled it to reuse the beads.) Not a great design, but I
learned a few things.

Attended a Bead Show

Some time later on a lazy afternoon at home, I was browsing the Los Angeles
Times and saw a discount coupon for an entry ticket to a bead show in Santa
Monica, CA.

I attended and was hooked! I've since become addicted to buying beads, going
to bead shows and making jewelry. I love making beaded jewelry because of the
beads. I love most beads, but especially beads of natural materials like
gemstones, coral bone and wood.

Signed Up For a Jewelry Making Class

Eventually, I took a beginner's jewelry making class at a local craft store
and made my goddaughter a bead bracelet using alphabet beads that spelled
"cheerleader".

I began to experiment with different, simple jewelry making techniques -
stringing, wireworking and knotting - that I learned from jewelry books. I love
jewelry making books and magazines as much as I love beads!

Sometimes I would make a piece of jewelry and show it to my co-workers. They
would ooh and aah, and ask me to make jewelry for them.

Why and How I Began to Sell Jewelry

I began to think that maybe I had a knack for this jewelry making thing. So,
I decided to start a jewelry making business
to support my habit of buying beads, supplies and taking classes. A hobby can
be addictive and expensive!

I've sold my jewelry in many ways - one-on-one to friends and co-workers,
home jewelry parties, small fair-like events, as a vendor at fund raisers and
allowing others to sell my jewelry for me. I've investigated even more ways.

Soon, it became more and more difficult to make jewelry, to
sell it at a profit and work full-time.

Researched How to Sell Jewelry Via the Web

A friend had loaned me a book about selling handmade jewelry.
I read through it again and checked out more of the information and its many
resources.

This time, I ran across a website about how to succeed in the home jewelry
business. The lady who ran it, a mom, was able to do what she loved and stay at
home with her son. I thought that was incredible and was intrigued.